BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller
Dateline: MAY 23, 2006
THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE
Following up his 2005 Tony-winning success, THE PILLOWMAN, Irish playwright Martin McDonagh returns to Broadway with a perversely funny look at the futility of violence in THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE. Directed by Wilson Milam, this second installment to McDonough's "Aran Islands Trilogy" moves uptown after a healthy run at the Atlantic Theatre.
Dark and twisted humor has been McDonagh's signature element in such works as THE LONESOME WEST and THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE and in this latest work, the playwright takes things to the furthest extreme. There's blood, torture, dismemberment and just about every nasty thing you can think of, and then a few you can't.
THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE opens with a drug-dealer suspended upside-down who is about to have a nipple severed by the ultra-violent Padraic (David Wilmot), a psychotic terrorist with a splinter group of the IRA. The gruesome deed is delayed by a phone call from Padraic's father, Donny (Peter Gerety), who reluctantly reports that something has happened to "Wee Thomas."
Though Padraic may be able to snip off body parts without the slightest remorse, Wee Thomas he holds most precious. Wee Thomas is his cat. And, while Padraic is away on terrorist business, Wee Thomas meets with an accident. Discovered on the highway by the long-haired neighbor Davey, Donny knows there will be Hell to pay when his son gets home. So, Donny and Davey set out to deceive him which triggers acts of unspeakable brutality, the likes of which you have never seen on any stage.
David Wilmot as Padraic gives a wonderful performance that is equal parts dementia and determination. A character with such grim focus and obsessive malice makes him a very funny chap and Wilmot never veers off course. That firm center is maintained by Domhnall Gleeson as Davey who cuts such a pathetic figure that is makes watching him take a beating seem wickedly fun.
Kerry Condon has the sole female role as Mairead, Davey's sixteen-year-old sharp-shooting sister and Padraic's sudden romantic interest. They both have a fondness for cats, and that's about it. Peter Greety's Donny often looks likes he's about the burst as he copes and connives with his wicked child.
The set by Scott Pask nicely incorporates the slate color of the local topography framing the drabness of this Aran domicile. Costumes by Theresa Squire are threadbare in just the right places. Lighting by Michael Chybowski perfectly accentuates the sadistic nature of the piece, all woven into a fine tapestry at the hand of director Milam.
McDonagh sets out to deliver a sober message and ends up offering one of the most punch-drunk comedies in years. In fact, this is really a great family play, especially if you're the parent of a teenage boy; the type who might wince at the prospect of sitting through a show with Mom and Dad and end up loving all that blood and gore. THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE at the Belasco Theatre.